Hablan fairbanks



UNITED STATESN PATENT OFFICE.

HAR'LAN FAIRBANKS, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THE NEV ENGLAND PATENT FIRE ESCAPE COMPANY, OE SAME PLACE.

PROTECTOR AND SUPPORTER FOR FIRE-ESCAPES.

' SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 291,586, dated January 8, 1884.

Application tiled July 12, 1883.

(No model.)

.To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HABLAN FAIEEANKs, of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Protectors and Supporters for Fire-Escapes, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates particularly to that class of fire-escapes consisting of a canvas chute provided with rounds or steps, being substantially the description of iire-escape illustrated in Letters Patent to me N o. 27 7 ,415; and it has for its object to provide a convenient means of supporting such a fire-escape upon the outside of the building in convenient relation to the window or other aperture of escape, and also of protecting the fire-es cape from injury when not inuse. Iaccomplish these objects by constructing or providing a box of sufficient size to contain the rolled-up fire-escape, substantially as shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figuies l and 3 represent my device when stored and not in use, and Figs. 2 and 4 show 5 my device in positions ready for use.

This box is provided on its interior with suitably-located ring-bolts or equivalent attachment, to which the ends of the supporting head-ropes of the reescape are made fast. That side of the box opening in the direction in which it is desired to extend the fire-escape when in use is so connected to the body of the box that when desired such part of the box may be dropped down. Except when it is desired to use the re-escape, this part of the box is kept up in its place like the rest, and may be detachably secured there either by a button or spring-catch; or it may be held in place by a projecting flange or rim upon the box-cover, as shown, This box, when used upon the roof of a building` as a means of escape therefrom, is held in its place upon the roof by suitable attachment thereto. when it is desired to place the box upon the side of a building, near the window or other aperture, for escape, the box is attached to and supported by suitable braces or brackets extending out from the building, and thus it will be perceived that the box itself, so sup- 50 ported, will serve as a balcony or ledge, from .trated in the drawings, Figs. 2 and 4.

which access may conveniently be had to the nre-escape; `or the box may be set in place upon a balcony such asis found upon the outside of many buildings.

Under ordinary circumstances the flre-es 5 5 cape is kept rolled up in the box, which is kept closed, as shown in Fig. Si. The nia-terial of which the box is constructed may be metal or wood, or wood covered with metal, the latter construction being preferred, be- 6o cause it combines lightness and strength, and also renders the box itself, to a considerable extent, nre-proof.

When it is desired to use the fire-escape, the cover of the box is removed, the part of the box where the fire-escape is to be thrown out is dropped down, and the escape being thrown out of the box unrolls itself as it falls to the ground. The falling part of the box may be made self-acting by inclining it slightly from 7o the perpendicular, and hinging it, as shown, so that when the cover is removed the unbalanced inclined part will fall on its hinges, and the escape be ready to be thrown out. Further, in order to prevent the accidental loss or dropping of the cover of the box, it may be attached thereto by chains or ropes, so that it may be taken off from the box, but still remain connected with it in. the manner illus- I clainl- 1. The combination, with a fire-escape protector and supporter of the character described, of suitable brackets or braces, whereby it is attached to and supported in its proper position upon the outside of the building, all substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, ina iire-escape pro-` tector and supporter of the character described, of the bolts A, automatic knockgc down part B, and flange-cover C, all substan tially as herein shown and set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my naine this 10th day of July, A. D. 1883.

HABLAN rniEEANxs.

Witnesses:

M. J. LOWE, J. HENRY TAYLOR. 

